(171a) Performance of An Intensified Downdraft Gasifier at 50kWe and 1 Mwe Scales

An intensified downdraft gasifier system capable of generating 50kWe (with turn-down ratio of 5:1) has been developed recently and subsequently scaled up to generate 1MWe and 1.5MWe by ITI Energy. Extensive experiments were carried out both at 50kWe and 1 MWe levels in order to assess syngas composition and calorific value, exhaust and process water emissions and ash composition while monitoring line pressures and temperature distribution in the gasifier reactor. After syngas cleaning, electricity was generated using an internal combustion engine. Biomass fuels used were: municipal solid waste, wood chips and bone meal at 1 MWe plant while at the 50kWe capacity, additional fuels included fuel cane bagasse and refinery sludge. Performance of the gasifiers was compared as regards syngas composition, temperature profile, tar and particulate levels. The gasifier reactor was modelled in order to predict the temperature distribution and syngas composition while developing a control strategy for the gasifier.